Mobile Broadband - Error 619 on E172 modem (Not using VMC)

[kewfriend]

For a variety of reasons, mostly connected to using more than one operator's mobile device on my sets of PCs (all XP SP3 bar one Vista Business Laptop) I am desperate to move away from VMC Lite. Because I am using some Linux netbooksI have standardised on the old and thoroughly reliable E172 modems so that we can swop between Linux and XP without continually swopping SIMs around. Actually the Vodafone Betavine Linux and the other default Linux drivers have made swopping between Vodafone, TMobile etc a doddle on these Linux machines. Great work Betavine etc.

I get a 1bar (usable) Vodafone 3G signal (postcode TW9 4AS): GPRS is equally problematic at the office.

I have a business account with several mobiles and two 3G Data contracts.

I am trying to standardise across all PCs/Laptops on Huawei Mobile Connect software which works a breeze with the TMobile account.

(We have set all PCs to have autorun disabled for all external devices: basic AV caution - not actually an issue I think.)

I set up the Huawei Mobile Connect Vodafone profile on the software, successfully 'registered' with the network, get through virtually all the authentication, ports open etc and in fact it says 'authenticated' but just before it says 'connected' it says "619" error and drops out.

This 'smells' to me very much like a SIGNAL strength problem, ie it can just about register but cannot sustain a data connection.



I'd dearly appreciate a 'prod in the right direction'.

Many thanks

Ian Murray

[jarviser]

If you have Netbook, find out where the mast is and go within 100 yards if possible. That will eliminate or identify the signal strength as the cause. Look at http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ to find it

I take it you have a diifferent profile set up for each provider as they have different APNs etc.

Don't use Betavine on Ubuntu 10.04, even the one tailor made for 10.04, as it destroys the network manager - not so well done!

[bacupian]

I'd dearly appreciate a 'prod in the right direction'.

Many thanks

Ian Murray

Output of some connect logs would be useful.

Two problems I had when using ubuntu connection manager were wrong apn and a fixed dns. I've given up on
connection manager and now just have ppp scripts (about a couple of KB).

I also use an orange dongle with phone number/user/password but otherwise same.

Pppd can be set to log connection or capture so it makes debugging easy.

Texts can be received/sent using gnokii.

Same scripts with netbsd device names rather than linux works just same.

David

[kewfriend]

Output of some connect logs would be useful.

Two problems I had when using ubuntu connection manager were wrong apn and a fixed dns. I've given up on
connection manager and now just have ppp scripts (about a couple of KB).

I also use an orange dongle with phone number/user/password but otherwise same.

Pppd can be set to log connection or capture so it makes debugging easy.

Texts can be received/sent using gnokii.

Same scripts with netbsd device names rather than linux works just same.

David

Thanks - the issue is on XP SP3 not Debian Linux which works very well.

The Huawei software seems fine as well: I'm using the recommended setup including the web / web login etc.

The problem is that immediately after 'authenticated' it drops the connection on the Huawei software with the 619 error.

Hmmmmm grrr

VMC Lite does usually connect albeit often not on the first atttempt.

[Retired-Lee]

Hey kewfriend,

I've taken a look at postcode TW9 4AS and the are is a littler blackspot for 3g signal, and the coverage map I'm using shows as 'variable' only, so this may well explain the differential network coverage.

Other than this, we don't support Linux and your post may be better served posted over at Betavine.

Cheers,

LeeH
eForum Team

[kewfriend]

Tx to eForum Team

Do glance back at my posting. The issue is NOT Linux which performs excellently. The Linux netbooks are fine and the Betavine software is fine. The Linux do connect albeit one has to 'move around a bit' and its not always first time.

The issue is on the XP SP3 'boxes' which for obvious reasons are static.

VMC Lite did (sometimes) make the trip.

But VMC Lite clashed with too much other connectivity and in fact on one box in particular was a nightmare - but thats a different story. Anyway I went over to the Huawei Mobile Connect software which has been fine on the E172 and on TMobile but has 619 errored on Vodafone.

So I know the dongles work - both the two contract Vodafone SIMs and the TMobile PAYG SIM. I know there is a possible blackspot issue. I know that sometimes VMC can reach through the blackspot. I need confirmation that poor connectivity or network coverage can cause a 619. In which case I'll either resite the 'boxes' or more likely use a long USB extension lead.

Anyway I do appreciate the genuine helpfulness of the forum - many thanks.

KF

[Retired-Trev]

Hi kewfriend

A RAS 619 error is a failure to connect to a 3G signal. If your in a poor 3G area, this is the likely reason for this error.

There's no real fix, other than retry the connection after relocating the device. If the signal is still weak, you'd still be likely to get the 619 error.

It's also worth trying with the connection set to 3G only or 2G only.

I trust this answers your query.

Regards

Trev
eForum Team

[jarviser]

If you have Netbook, find out where the mast is and go within 100 yards if possible. That will eliminate or identify the signal strength as the cause. Look at http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ to find it
...

I would still eliminate signal strength as a cause by going closer to the signal source if you can.

If you are saying that Linux doesn't hang up but Windoze does, that would not suggest signal strength to me, unless VMC or HMP have a signal strength switch that that Betavine doesn't. Signal strength needs eliminating by empirical means if you are to get to the bottom of it.

[kewfriend]

I would still eliminate signal strength as a cause by going closer to the signal source if you can.

If you are saying that Linux doesn't hang up but Windoze does, that would not suggest signal strength to me, unless VMC or HMP have a signal strength switch that that Betavine doesn't. Signal strength needs eliminating by empirical means if you are to get to the bottom of it.

Thanks to everyone. Yes both the Betavine software and VMC drop back to GPRS. I'll sort this after the weekend by shifting a few things around. The whole thing is a backup anyway for cable failures on the fixed boxes. The laptops and mobiles are fine.

Tx to all of you.

[bacupian]

Thanks - the issue is on XP SP3 not Debian Linux which works very well.

The Huawei software seems fine as well: I'm using the recommended setup including the web / web login etc.

The problem is that immediately after 'authenticated' it drops the connection on the Huawei software with the 619 error.

Hmmmmm grrr

VMC Lite does usually connect albeit often not on the first atttempt.

If it's a signal strength issue you might want to try a usb extension cable. Other possibility is that the VMC software
is misconfigured. My k3520 is set to fixed dns ip addresses which was ok when purchased but since then vodafone
have changed so I have needed to setup another connection in VMC that obtains dns addresses from the login server.

You can also setup a conventional DUN connection from XP and avoid using VMC altogether for internet
connection but I don't know about a simple way of receiving/sending of sms..


David